Description

Amber tint. African Mirror item - issue number 929. c. 1931

01:33:33 "Band of His Majesty's Grenadier Guards. Enormous crowds throng the streets of Cape Town to welcome world famous Guards Band." Panning top shot of approximately thirty uniformed Grenadier Guards wearing busbies and holding musical instruments. M/S of moustachioed Grenadier Guard standing to attention. He has several medals attached to his uniform and looks very smart. He seems to be standing on the deck of a ship. Closer shot of the Grenadier standing with a spectacled man in mufti - not identified. Pan across to another man in a suit flanking the Grenadier. High angle shot of the large crowd gathered to welcome the band. Mid shot of the Grenadier seen earlier talking to the Mayor and Mayoress. Another shot of the crowd. High angle long shot of the band standing in a square surrounded by watching crowds. The band marches towards the camera. Two men on horseback, a soldier and a policeman usher the crowds back away from the road. The band passes the camera - they are not playing their instruments. Moustachioed guard seen earlier holds a wreath. Members of the band stand behind him and beyond them is a building with a large balcony - many people stand on this balcony and watch. Shot from behind the conductor, the camera pans across the band as they play. Panning high angle shots of the crowds standing around the band. High angle shot of a Cape Town street. Cars are driven through large numbers of people.

01:35:32 "Hero Worship! Thousands of Cape Town children attend a special performance given by the band of H.M. Grenadier Guards." African Mirror item - issue 930. Band marches towards the camera playing their instruments. Crowds watch the performance. C/U of the crowd - lots of young faces. L/S of the band being conducted. They are seated in a kind of stand found at show grounds. High angle panning shot of the crowd.

01:36:27 "His Majesty's Grenadier Guards Band receives a spontaneous reception in Johannesburg." African Mirror item - issue 930. High angle of a street in Johannesburg, South Africa. Crowds of people run along the street to get the best view. Tram at a standstill is visible. Band marches through the centre of the crowd lined street. Top shot of the band marching up the steps of a municipal building (possibly the Town Hall?) A dog runs in front of them. The band leader shakes hands with the mayor. Side view C/U of the band leader speaking. Intertitle reads: "Thanks to the enterprise of AFRICAN THEATRES Ltd., the public of South Africa are enabled to see and hear this world famous band." Camera pans across band members, top shot of them playing surrounded by crowds. "His Worship the Mayor of Johannesburg, entertains our visitors to tea at the Zoological Gardens." Several guards (now wearing white helmets rather than the busbies). Stand around looking at a colleague who sits astride an elephant. Some of the guards walk past the tiger's cage. A few guards stand and look at a rhino. L/S of guards gathered around the giraffe cage. M/S of a group of guards smiling at the camera. Two of the guards are holding leopard cubs. One of the guards strokes the cubs paw.

01:38:32 "The Triumphal Tour of the Guards. The band of H.M. Grenadier Guards, receives a splendid reception at Durban." African Mirror item - issue 932. Marching band in Scottish dress (kilts & sporrans etc.) lead the Grenadier Guards down a Durban street. High angle shot of the Grenadiers marching along and playing their instruments. The band turns around whilst marching to face the camera. "Bloemfontein turns out to hear the famous band." Panning L/S of a large garden with crowds of spectators (most wearing white hats) waiting to hear the band. M/S of a small uniformed band playing (not the Grenadiers?) Panning shot of a sea of white hats - presumably schoolgirls in uniform. "Cape Town - Capt. Miller of H.M. Grenadier Guards Band discusses the tattoo arrangements with Mr S.M. Wale, Local Director African Theatres Limited, and Mr J.H. Sroder (?), Branch Manager.

01:40:27 Three men walk down some stone steps talking and consulting a piece of paper. The man in the centre makes exaggerated arm movements - presumably discussing where the band will be marching. "Majors Grant Duncan and Smitheman - Masters of Ceremony - join the group." The two other men walk down the steps and join in the discussion. Lots of pointing and gesticulating. The men walk down the steps leaving one man - probably Captain Miller standing alone. "As a result of the Tattoo AFRICAN THEATRES LTD. were able to donate approximately £400 to local Charities." Moustachioed man - Captain Miller? - stands on the steps and speaks holding a piece of paper.

01:41:48 Intertitle reads: "The Guards pay their last tribute, before embarking, to South Africa's hospitality and the great reception they received throughout the Country." High angle of guards playing their instruments as they march through a crowd lined street. Street level shot of policemen and soldiers riding horses accompanying the band as they march towards the camera. The Grand Hotel is seen in the background - crowds of people standing on the balcony. Shot of the crowds that follow the band as they walk away from the camera. Top shot of the crowds. High angle shot of the band playing - possibly on deck of a liner. Shot of crowds below - they applaud. "The Mail Boat" leaves the docks to the strain of "Auld Lang Syne" and the National Anthem. L/S of the liner as it leaves. Crowds on the docks wave. People on deck of the boat wave. "Goodbye Grenadiers! Tot siens." L/S of the boat leaving port.

"The End" title.

Note: it is possible that some of the material on this reel was used in Pathe items in issues 31/25 and 31/43. See other records.